James a



' (No Model.)

J.v A. BBBBE.

KEY PASTBNER.

No. 563,216. Patented June 30,1896'.-

wlTN ESSES INVENTOR y n @Z ANDREW BLR/MAM.PHUTU-UTHD.WASHIMFIDN.D.C.

UNITED STATES PATENT TFICE.

JAMES A. EEEBE, on TAcoMA, WASHINGTON.

KEY-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 563,216, dated J' une 30, 1896. Application 'filed January 27, 1896. Serial No. 577,017. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. BEEBE, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of Vashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in key-fasteners; and it consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l represents a perspective view of the device embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 represents a top plan view of the same applied to a lock and securing a key in position.

A in the drawings represents the vertical y shank adapted to be slipped into the keyhole below the key after said key has been turned to lock the door or other article to which the lock is attached. This shank consists of a flat plate. This plate is given a quarter-turn at one end to bring said end into a horizontal position. This end is then turned back upon itself to form a loop a, in which the bow b of the key B is adapted to rest when said key and fastener are in position. The loop a is provided with coinciding apertures a', adapted to receive and hold the securing-pin C. This pin comprises a split shank having an eye c at one end. The split portions of said shank normally set apart, so that when forced through the apertures a they will bind firmly against the walls of the same and thus secure the pin firmly in position. A chain c is connected to said eye c and to a portion of the shank A, so that said pin C cannot be misplaced or lost when the fastener is not in use.

When the device is to be applied to a door, the bolt of the lock is first shot by turning the key. The key is then turned until both the bow and the bit are in a horizontal position. The key in this position cannot be pulled out of the keyhole but can be turned. The keyhole below the pin is now clear and the shank A is slipped into the same until the bow of the key enters the loop a. The pin C is now passed down through the bow b,

which prevents the fastener from being pushed into the room from the inside. The bow of the key resting in the fiat loop prevents the key from being turned, and the key cannot be pushed out of the lock until it is turned.

It will thus be observed that the key is effectually secured against any tampering from without but can be instantly released from within.A The different apertures in the flat loop permit of the fastener being applied t!) different sized keys. I contemplate constructing the device-of metal, but any other suitable material may be employed. The plate forming the device can be made of varying width and thicknessto suit the particular construction and size of keys and locks upon which it is intended to use it.

With this simple little device, which can readily be carried in the coat-pocket, commercial travelers and others stopping at public houses can instantly secure their bedroomdoors against all intrusion.

The device can also be used, of course, in any position where it .is desired to secure a key in a lock, so that it cannot be tampered with by nippers and the like.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A key-fastener comprising a shank for insertion into the keyhole, a loop on the end of said shank provided with a series of apertures for different-sized keys and adapted to receive the bow of the key and hold it in a horizontal position, and a pin adapted to be passed through one of said apertures and the bow of the key, substantially as described.

2. A key-fastener comprising a shank for insertion into the keyhole, a loop on the end of said shank provided with a series of apertures for different-sized keys and adapted to receive the bow of the key, and a split springpin flexibly connected to the shank and adapt-- ed to be passed through any of said apertures and the bow of the key, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J AMES A. BEEBE. Witnesses:

H. F. NoERIs, J. C. DrLLoW.

IOO 

